Peterborough United Preview - Home, Oct 29

IT'S FAMILY day at the Vic' this weekend as Peterborough United visit, virtually guaranteeing defeat for the Hornet's in front of what will hopefully be a slightly better crowd.

Peterborough have performed above all expectation so far this campaign and sit very comfortably in 10th position.

Following their last Championship showing where they were immediately relegated amongst off-field choas surrounding the management, it's been a dream start so far.

Darren Ferguson is back at the helm and thanks to some canny moves in the transfer market the Posh squad looks up to scratch to make a real go of Championship progression.

Despite the inevitable summer loss of Craig Mackail-Smith, Ferguson has been able to cling onto the likes of Ryan Bennett, Lee Tomlin and Gabriel Zakuani.

What Fergie Jnr. and owner Darragh McAnthony have mastered is the art of shrewd transfer dealings. Selling Mackail-Smith for £3.25m has allowed the club to invest in 'the next Mackail-Smith' in Emile Sinclair.

Formerly of Macclesfield the powerful yet pacey Sinclair epitomises the Posh business model of picking up lower league players for peanuts. A late arrival, Sinclair has wasted no time settling in with two goals in his first seven games at London Road.

Another such example is Paul Jones who arrived on a free transfer from Exeter City having impressed on loan. An unremarkable piece of business on the face of it, but the 25 year-old 'keeper has kept established number one Joe Lewis out the side even following his return from long-term injury.

As ever there's the use of his contacts book - namely the use of father Sir Alex's youth team with Scott Wootton and Ryan Tunnicliffe both on season-long loans from Old Trafford. There's also former United protegee, Nicky Ajose who moved to London Road following an impressive season on-loan at Bury last season

Ajose might have played just once for the Posh before heading out on-loan to Scunthorpe United but at just 20 years of age, Ferguson has evidently seen raw talent in the Bury-born youngster.

Mercurial winger-cum-forward Lee Tomlin is unavailable following his red card against Leeds seven days ago whilst Watford could include new striker Craig Beattie in their matchday squad.

Probable Teams:

Watford: Loach; Doyley, Mariappa, Mirfin, Dickinson; Yeates, Eustace (c), Hogg, Deeney; Iwelumo & Sordell.

Peterborough United: Jones; Little, Bennett, Zakuani, Alcock; Frecklington, McCann (c), Rowe, Boyd; Taylor & Sinclair.

Match Officials: (R)Mr A D'Urso (AR's) Mr N Lugg & Mr G Muge (4th) Mr R Atkin.

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